Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-05-15
THE ORATORIO.
ueudeIssohn'ssa Psui Handsomely
Rendered.

pozor, Academy OF Music was we'll
filled with n brilliant audience last evening
ON the occasion Of the rendering OF the
Oratorio OF st. Paul by the chorus OF the
Petersburg Musical Association and the
soloists and orchestra who took part In the
recent MAY festival In Petersburg.
Tine stage had been arranged so rs TO give
tbe hest acoustic effects. All the "drops"
were removed, and the drop-c'irtain raised
and carried bacl, so ~ 10 form LOFTY COW
eriug over the entire stage. The illes were
sci back OF the grooves aud the entire
spacc made available. The singers and
orchestra were beautifully grouped upon
tbe stage. The centre from front to back
was occupied 10y the orchestra. on each side
OF which were the male singers, while
forming. n seml.circular border To these
were the lady singers. standing In Tours
and in front and 10 the left OF the conductor
were the four soloIsts. The scene was an
effective one, with a chorus OF one hundred
and On orchestra OF thirty thus grouped.
The work was beautifully rendered
throughout. the chorus and orchestra being
balanced with artistic taste. The solotsts
were Miss Louise Elliott, soprano; MISS
Alta Pease, cOntralto; Mr.. Courtney,
tenor. and DR.. Carl +. Martin basso. The
selection OF this quartettc for the work was
excellent. Miss Elliott has q pure ana
sweet soprano. and she rendered the diher'
eBt numbers 81 her part with refined taste
and telling effect. In this work Mendels-
sOhn has given neagre part to the con-
traltO. yet " hen heard the beauty Of Miss
Pease's charming vocal powers was AZ
once recognized by the audience. DR..
Martin, both in appearance and voice. was
happily chosen for the part OF "Saul."
With bis rich ard musical bassO he gave
telling rendering OF the part. Mir. Court
ney in the numbers OF "Stephen acquit-
ted himself well
Tie work OF the chorus was simply sur
plising Our sister city Of Petersburg is
to be cordially congratulated upon the
great amount Of Musical talent she has d.
veloped-an amount, by comparison with
the population Of other cities, far beyond
what could be reasonably expected. Not
forgetting her unquesiiOnable natural
talent, the credit for the deycOpmcnt OF
it is beyond doubt due to the indelatSablc
energy. zeal. and musical taste Ct the
president Of the " Petersburg Musical As
sOciatiOu," Mr.. Noltenius. tie j., a true
and devoted lover q the divine art. and
has elevated the standard OF musical appre-
citation in bis city surprisingly. In their
singing last evening the chorus gave un.
misfaBablc evidence Of the able and effect
we training Of this gentleman.
The orchestra WAS IIeimendahrS Phil
harmonic. Of Baltimore. II i well-sc-
lected organization. and the members play
beautifully together.
The OratOriO was, as a whole, admirably
well rendered, for which great praise is
due TO the eminent conductor OF Boston.
Mr.. Carl Zerrahn.
Judging from The generous applause the
audience must have been we'll pleased. and
yet est. Paul" to our mind, while Of the
highest order in lis musical construction, is
the least takin. Of all the OritoriOs.
We congratulate Petersburg upon her
successful and ambitious musical effort.